I have all the luck....

I haven't traded much lately for a few reasons. One, until recently I didn't have the space for alot of plants or alot of things to trade. And I used to trade alot on that other website a while back and got burned about 25% of the time. I have done a few trades here recently and am surprised to find out that I am getting stiffed here too (with about the same frequency). How long should you wait (and send reminder emails) until you give up and accept getting stiffed?

I have had wonderful trades here (and the other site) and I thank those traders again. Still I don't think I will be trading much anymore. Even checking feedback didn't help me. I just can't afford to spend $8 sending plants to someone to get nothing in return.

Sorry I just had to vent....
polar

Oh Polarbear I am so sorry to hear you've gotten stiffed....as one who has been too I feel for you.
I hope yours can be resolved. :-)

Marc

Thanks Marc. I hope so too.

We try to give some general guidelines on how much time is appropriate for trades to arrive in our trading primer: http://davesgarden.com/trading/primer/

We also give members the ability to provide feedback for each other. If you've done everything you can to make the trade a success, and a reasonable amount of time has elapsed, you can leave feedback for them by going to their member page and clicking on the link.

I'm really sorry to hear you've had problems with trading here and elsewhere - it's such a wonderful way to share our gardens, but unfortunately there are some times when things don't go as they should :-(

Thanks for info. Terry!

Just curious...how long has it been?

Because.....I've noticed that the mail has been quite slow lately.

I sent a trade via Priority mail just a couple months back...and it took 3.5 weeks to get there!!

Then...I was sent a trade about a month ago that took 4 weeks!! (That one was sent first class...but still! A long time!

Just thought I'd bring that up because it might not be the trader's fault....it's often the USPS's.

Hope that's the case here...hate to see anyone get burned.

I've *almost* been burned a couple of times...but was *very* persistent with emails and tried to be tactful and understanding....I eventually got a couple of trades that I thought I'd never see!

Its been over a month now. I would have more faith but none of my emails are getting answered. I am understanding that life can get crazy and people may have a hard time getting their trades out. I just wish they would let me know and then I wouldn't pester them about it.

Oh well.

Another empty promise later and still no plants. what a surprise....

Leave negative feedback with a note saying if you receive your end of the trade you will edit the feedback. Was the person a subscriber or just a member??

Judy

Member.

Thanks Judy, I think I will take your advice.

no scratch that. Subscriber

Bummer....really sorry to hear that!

I second Judy's advice. As long as you can change the feedback when/if the trade comes through, you've nothing to lose.
That's what the feedback feature is there for!